At a press conference, Posfai, the institution's 22nd president, noted that in a speech at Monday's general assembly, the prime minister-elect said the new government would rely on the MTA's expertise in policy decisions and in fostering a cultured society, calling this "very encouraging".

Posfai, who takes office in July, said these changes opened a "new horizon". He proposed a roundtable discussion on the future of Hungarian science, involving research institutes previously part of the MTA network, now under HUN-REN and Eotvos Lorand University, as well as government representatives.

"I would like the MTA to sit down with all stakeholders at a roundtable to discuss what would best serve the interests of Hungarian researchers and science in the future," he said. He added that it was essential to clarify the Academy's role in the operation of these institutes and to resolve the "legally irregular situation where institutes continue to use MTA property and equipment".

Asked about the future of the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network, Posfai said the law governing its network required amendment, citing a loss of trust among institute staff.

"The leaders did not intend to cause destruction, it just turned out that way," he said, adding that he had attended a forum where the distrust towards HUN-REN's leadership had been "palpable". He expressed doubt that the network could continue in its current form.

Posfai outlined plans to engage the entire scientific community, including the Academy's 19,000-strong public body, more actively in its work, and to support researchers through new short-term, small-scale grants and research workshops.

Gabor Kecskemeti, the Academy's newly elected secretary-general, expressed hope that the research network could once again operate under the MTA's auspices. He described recent organisational changes as "accelerated and counterproductive", saying that in the past six years alone, he had worked with five different institutes.

Kecskemeti said restructuring and increased administrative burdens had adversely affected scientific work and left young researchers insufficiently supported. He underscored the need to resolve the network's future in a sustainable, inclusive and reassuring manner.

Ilona Kovacs, the MTA's new deputy secretary-general, said the time had come to act to "restore academic freedom". She called for universities to be included in the dialogue, noting the declining number of supported research groups within HUN-REN. She also prioritised expanding postdoctoral funding opportunities. 

Academy of Sciences elects Posfai as new president

Geology scholar and university professor Mihaly Posfai has been elected president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) for the next three years, with the decision made at the 200th general assembly on Tuesday.

The closed session also elected MTA literature scholar Gabor Kecskemeti as secretary-general, while psychologist Ilona Kovacs will take up post of deputy secretary-general.

Deputy presidents and board members have also been elected.

Posfai was chosen for the post over archaeologist Laszlo Borhy, biologist Adam Miklosi, and chemist Andras Perczel.

In a Facebook post, Zoltan Tanacs, the incoming minister for technology, noted that in his application, Posfai had argued that the Academy was capable of reaching broad sections of society and communicating the results of science thanks to its relationships with professional associations, public collections, and industrial, government, and local government actors.

He also noted that the new president emphasised that the MTA "has members with a wide spectrum of political views, but the operation of the institution as a whole and the collegial activities of its members are guided not by political considerations, but by the ideals of the pursuit of science and service to society."
 

"And what the Tisza [Party] undertook in its programme and what we emphasised ... at the festive opening of the MTA’s 200th general assembly is that Hungarian science can only fulfil its true nation-strategic role if researchers can work in a reassuring and predictable environment, and free from political influence."

He added that the rebuilding of the scientific and decision-making dialogue, which had stalled in recent years, was progressing encouragingly.

Born in 1963 in Szombathely, in south-west Hungary, Posfai studied geology at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, where he obtained a degree in 1987. Afterwards, he spent some time studying environmental science at the Central European University and also spent several months at the University of Stockholm.

He received a PhD in 1992 and a doctorate in 2004. He habilitated at the Veszprem University in 2005. Since 2006, he has been working as a professor of Pannon University's earth and environment sciences faculty.

He was elected a regular member of MTA in 2016. He is also a member of Academia Europea.

Posfai was awarded the Szechenyi Prize in 2016 and the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, Commander's Cross, Civil Division, in 2026.

MTI Stock Photo

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.

XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com

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